The Bulldogs supremo delivered the bad news about his NRL club.
Bulldogs supremo Phil Gould has revealed a double blow for Canterbury before the start of the season, with wingers Jacob Kiraz and Enari Tuala both battling concerning injuries. The situation is set to seriously test Canterbury’s depth in their outside backs after losing a host of backline talent in the off-season, including wingers Josh Addo-Carr (Parramatta) and Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers), plus the versatile Joash Papalii (Parramatta), who starred for the Eels at fullback in their 44-18 thrashing of Newcastle in the Pre Season Cup.
Gould revealed on Wide World of Sports’ Six Tackles with Gus podcast on Monday evening that Kiraz hasn’t trained with Cameron Ciraldo’s Bulldogs squad during pre season because of a persistent back injury. It’s the same injury that ruled Kiraz out of Australia’s Pacific Championships campaign, following an incredible season for Canterbury in 2024 as they snapped a long finals drought.
Kiraz is almost certain to be sidelined for the opening round of the new season but it could be even longer for the barnstorming winger, with ‘NRL Physio’ Brien Seeney offering a ‘worrying’ update about the star on social media. Bulldogs indicate Jacob Kiraz will miss at least Round 1 & potentially longer due to a back injury,” the NRL Physio wrote on X. “Described as a ‘pain management issue’ – which is surprising considering he has carried it for at least 5 months and had back stress fractures in late 2024. Worrying signs.”
Bulldogs rocked by double injury blow
Gould also revealed that new Bulldogs recruit Enari Tuala has suffered a serious foot injury on the eve of the season, having been signed from the Newcastle Knights to compete for another wing spot at Canterbury. “Jacob Kiraz hasn’t trained all summer and won’t see the start of the season and then last week our new buy from Newcastle (Tuala), who was training really well, fractured his foot at training, so he’s unavailable,” Gould said.
The Bulldogs called upon a number of youngsters for last weekend’s pre-season victory over the Tigers and the likes of Ratu Jehtro Rinakama and Jonathan Sua will both now be pushing for starting spots when the new season gets underway. Rinakama and Sua impressed during Sunday’s hit-out and both tries in the 20-14 victory over the Tigers, with Gould reserving special praise for Rinakama, who is still eligible to play in the under 19s SG Ball competition this year.
“He’s a great kid, very smart kid too, doing engineering. He’s SG Ball age, he played SG Ball last year as a first year… he then went and played in the Jersey Flegg finals series,” Gould said. “With Jonathan Sua, who debuted one game last year, and Jethro, they’re players of the future.”
Manly receive positive Taniela Paseka injury news
Meanwhile, the Manly Sea Eagles have received better news on the injury front, with giant prop Taniela Paseka cleared of serious damage after suffering an AC joint injury in the trial win against South Sydney. There were initial fears that Paseka had done worrying damage to the shoulder that would require him to needle it throughout the season and cause the prop plenty of discomfort.
But the Sea Eagles confirmed on Monday that the injury wasn’t as bad as first feared and that Paseka would be available for Manly’s round one clash against the Cowboys on March 8. “Taniela Paseka will be available for round 1 in the NRL premiership after sustaining a minor injury in Saturday’s Pre-season Challenge match against the Rabbitohs,” a club statement read. “The Sea Eagles prop left the field clutching his left shoulder but has since been cleared of serious damage, suffering a grade one AC joint injury.
“Paseka is unavailable for Friday night’s trial against the Panthers but will be ready for the team’s season-opener against the Cowboys.” The NRL Physio described it as “mostly a pain management issue” and added that “minor sprains can get needled up and (allow players to) return very quickly.”
